What is the best multi-remote?
 

What is the best multi-remote with LED?

Thanks! :)

Logitech Harmony line. The best particular remote in that line for you depends on your setup, needs/wants, and budget.

I want to buy once, so budget is not a problem. The 880 has good reviews but they say it's limited. I don't like the 1000 because I want a remote form-factor. How's the 890?

I'd use it for:

* Sharp TV
* Tivo
* DTV DVR
* XBOX 360 (to watch movies)
* PS3 (to watch movies)
* Computer if I can set it up
* DVD recorder

+1 for Logitech Harmony remotes.

No IR remote will control the PS3 (unless you get a separate USB dongle or something). You either have to get one of the PS3 DVD remotes or continue to use the controller.

I'd have to look into an IR dongle then... recommendations?

There's actually a 360 edition Harmony remote that is designed specifically for 360 owners. I can't comment on it myself, but it may be worth looking into.

Haven't tried it myself, so I cannot "recommend" it, but check this out and read the reviews (they talk about the Harmonys):

http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-3-...6099151&sr=8-2

Limited to what? The 880 is an excellent remote. I even have it controling my Lutron wireless lights in my media room. I get a lot of "ooohs and ahhhs" when pressing a single button not only turns everything on in the right order and with the right settings, but it lowers the lights to movie watching level.

The 890 is essentially the same remote only it is RF.

No universal remote will control the PS3. Sony is the SUCK for not including IR on the PS3. The PS3 only works with a blu-tooth remote.

My 880 controls

Optoma HD70 projector
Old Motorola Voom box for OTA HD
Dish Network receiver for SD
V. Inc upconverting DVD player
H/K Surround receiver
Lutron wireless light switch
Monoprice 5X HDMI switcher

And while it cannot control the PS3, I have it set so press the "Play PS3" will lower the lights, put my HDMI switcher to the PS3 and set my surround receiver to the current audio input.

i know most here will disagree, but the Sony Commander is excellent. I've had it now for 6 years and it has never given me any problems. Yeah, it's big, but it definitely draws attention when people see it.

I have an 890, and I love it! It is a inconvenience that it won't run the old PS3, but I bought the Sony Blue tooth remote for $20.

You will be happy with a Harmony remote. My wife and child love it, it is pretty much fool proof.

The Harmonys are all essentially identical in performance and capability. The only thing to shop on is button layout and looks. Oh, and price. (I'm ignoring the 1000 since you don't like it) There are a couple that have better layouts for DVR users. You might want to study the buttons carefully and pick which works best for you personally.

I have the old Harmony 659, and I love it. Everyone uses it my wife, kids, hell even the house sitter had no problem when she stayed over. Those are very affordable now.

It controls my TV, receiver, DVR, Xbox, DVD, and lights. Thats the coolest.

I picked up the harmony 676 from amazon over the summer when they were blowing them out supercheap.
Based on that, I can heartily recommend their product, whether it's the same one, or a higher model (like the 880 or 890)

Yup, Harmony is what you want. I picked up the 880 for $80 from woot.com a few weeks back. It was a refurb (r0xors!) but it has worked flawlessly for me and I am really happy with my purchase. Very easy to configure and set up and the response time for button clicks is faster than any other remote I have used.

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a refurbished 880. Why? They had some trouble with the battery not fitting tightly and the remote not sitting in the cradle properly to recharge. These were easily fixable items and they simply came out with a new charger. So I would bet a good many of these "refurbished" remotes there was nothing wrong with them, they just provided a new cradle and made it so the batter fit tighter.

I know this, because I bought my 880 a full 2 years ago and had both those problems. I researched and many, many did as well and most sent their back. I modified the battery compartment my self and Harmony overnighted me a new cradle for free. Haven't had a problem since.

Another Harmony user here who would wholeheartedly reccomend the line. I was able to get a 520 on ebay for abput 40 bucks, and it works perfectly for my setup in my bedroom. There really isnt any other remote to go with for a reasonable amount of money. One fo the best features of the Harmonies is everythign is "activity"based. So one button will turn everythign on and set it to the right setting to watch a dvd for example. Or watch tv or whatever you set it up to do. I don't think there is too much difference between many of the remotes, other than how many soft keys by the screen that they have. I know there is at least one rf remote, as well as rechargables with a cradle. I would reccommend looking at the button setup of any that you are considering buying, as I have seen some have the play, ff, rew etc buttons towards the bottom of the remote. Real tough to hold the remote and press those buttons with the same hand. The 520 has these buttons slightly above the middle of the remote.

The other remote that I ahve tried is the Philips Pronto. these tend to be expensive for the current models, and I found to be a real pain to setup as you have to code everything. Maybe they ahve changed sine I stopped using mine.

Ok people you convinced me, now help me find a cheap 890 :D

Ditto on the Harmony. I have the 676 and it's been great. Setup didn't take too long, just going through the website and typing in what I have. The 'optimization' could take longer (playing with button locations, trying them out, jiggling them around, etc).
Mine controls:
Scientific Atlanta HDDVR
Xbox 360
PS2
Panasonic 5-disk DVD player
HDA1 HDDVD
Philips TV
a little GE tv
I think the only thing mine doesn't do is the Wii, because the Wii is bluetooth.
The harmony was worth it just for not having to do codes, and while some remotes (most likely more expensive ones) can do fancier and more complex macros, the Harmony is sort of "middle ground", that is, I can customize it and optimize it, and my wife and parents can still use it.
I liked the positioning of the DVR buttons on the 676, but as someone has said, functionality for all of them is pretty much the same.

Do you need RF? The 890 is quite a bit more then the 880 and all you are getting is RF.

Yes, the RF is nice if you have a solid cabinet door that you are trying to shoot thru, but otherwise...it is a lot of money.

The 880 has a very wide sensor. My projector sits behind the seating area and all my components are in front and 90 degrees to the seating area. If I point hte 880 towards the components, it will also trigger the projector no problem, every time.

I am also in the market for a universal remote. All the components will be in a closet that is behind the TV wall. I will need to control four components. Should I buy an IR extender unit plus a decent universal remote or get a remote that is RF capable? Would that help me save the copuple of hundred$$ on the ir extender setup?

All my components are within a 10 feet radius out in the open.

So I guess I don't need RF?

Doesn't the 890 have added functionality besides the RF?

Nope, the 890 and 880 are the same, just 890 has RF.

None of the Harmony's have different functions as far as I know. They all use the same software. The difference is in lay out of the buttons and the 880 adds both rechargable battery and color screen. The 890 adds RF and the 1000 or w/e it is adds touch screen. They got one remote that is especially good to use with a Tivo/DVR and they got one that is especially good to use for the 360. But they can do the same thing.

You can compare the different remotes here...

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/re...otes/&cl=us,en

Am I going to find a lower price than $150 for the 880?

$150 is not a bad price. Not great, but not bad...

A quick check and I don't see anything cheaper right off. Tho I have seen them as low as $110 at Dell home and $138 at Amazon.

If you need/want it now, I'd say that is a pretty fair price.

Have you actually played with one yet? I think BB carries them, but I don't know if they have any out for you to mess with.

Haven't played around with it but it has the shape of a Tivo remote with the figure 8. I'm sure I'll love it :D What are the chances of another woot offering?

I have been looking around at remotes and I am leaning towards the Harmony 670. It looks like Amazon has the lowest price at $122. Does this sound like a price worth jumping on for the 670, or are there any other sites I should check?
Also, should this remote suffice for controlling Onkyo705 receiver, HD DVR, Toshiba A3 and Panasonic 58' Plasma?

It should. I just bought the Onkyo 605 and set that up as well as my sony 55 LCD and Toshiba A3 in no time. The selection for DVR is huge so I see no worries for you as well. Enoy.

Yea...I just added the Toshiba A3 to my Harmony. Took all of 5 minutes include uploading to the remoste.

For that kind of money...I'd think about spending a little more and getting the 880 so you have a rechargable battery.

I just got my JP-1 remote programmed. These are the typical universal remotes sold in places like Wal-Mart and Radio Shack (usually under the name "One For All"), and sometimes given out by cable/satellite companies. If you're willing to learn how to do it and build or buy the appropriate cable, these can be connected to a PC and fully programmed with new device upgrades and protocols, learned signals, etc. Buttons can be moved around, macros can be set up, and if you have a device that doesn't have a readymade upgrade file, you can create them yourself if you have one of the learning models.

I spent $15 on the cable and programmed a $20 remote (that I already had anyway) to support everything. Many of the supported remotes are no longer made, but they can be obtained cheaply on places like eBay.

Here's the site if anyone is interested: http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/

Just an FYI. The Harmony 880 is $129.99 at Amazon now. It had been in the $144-150 range in recent days there.

Got the 880 for the $130. Couple of questions:

1. When I use it for DVR, the volume doesn't control the TV. I have the DVR remote set to control the TV. When I try to go through the remote setup with the 880 I can't because when I press Mute and Select simultaneously, it kicks me out of the setup. Other than having to switch back and forth between TV and DVR more, is there another way around this?

I thought I had a brilliant idea (if I may say so myself). I had the DVR side learn two new commands - Volume Up and Volume Down - set to the signal of the DVR when I press up and down (which controls the TV) and then set the volume up and down buttons on the 880... and no dice, does nothing :(

2. For watch DVD, I have it set to turn on the 360 and then wait 10 secs and Down Down Down select. Tried it with 20 secs also because the 360 takes a long time to start (had it go up after 10 secs and then after 10 more secs down down down). None of those work, I just get to the 360s menu and then I have to go into the DVD side manually. Anyone got this to work so that with 1 button, you're actually watching a movie on the 360?

Definitely a lot of tinkering involved. Just get me volume working on the DVR side and I'll be happy as a clam.

Here is a refurbished 880 at Amazon, for $139.99:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...YMP71EXCZ3BYXV

On this page, scroll down a little, and under the heading "Better Together", you can get the 880 AND the ps3 blue tooth remotes for $159.98:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846
That will cover all your concerns! :)

rotfl Don't mean to laugh, but if I were you I would have smash the thing with a sledge hammer by now. This is why I haven't bought one yet. I'd pay quite a bit for a remote that was very simple to set up, and actually worked. It just hasn't been invented yet.

The Harmony 880 sucks. My dad had it for a week and switched it out. It froze up, was hard to see, and wasn't intuitive. All about the Home Theater Master Universal MX-500. :up:

Admittedly the models may be different, and I can't speak to units "freezing up" (as tech toys, there's always some small percentage of defective units), but my Harmony has never been a problem, and setup was not difficult at all. The only part that was time consuming was personal--deciding what I wanted the six 'soft' buttons to do for each activity and how I wanted them laid out.
The only caveat I've had to offer for people who don't often use it at my house is that it apparently processes the commands in order, not all at once, so if you hit an activity, you can't immediately point the remote in the opposite direction.
There might be more powerful remotes, but for me, the Harmony strikes a very good balance between cost, ease of use, ease of updating, equipment library, and customizability.

I assume you mean some of the buttons are hard to see? The color screen is very clear. And while not everyone like the Harmony...not being "intuitive" is something I have never heard about the Harmony. That is my wife likes it. But to each their own...

Nope. I mean everything on the screen is hard to see. The icons are dinky. Even I had a hard time reading the stuff. As for the not being intuitive, I just didn't like the button layout. Plus, after being used to the MX-500 for so long (years), it was difficult to get used to. And, the Harmony seems to have "borrowed" from the design of the Tivo remote, they seem to have taken all the things that sucked from it, not the good stuff. :shrug:

Well you know if you don't like the icons on the scren you can remove them??? I switched backgrounds on the screen to that of a picture from pirates of the carribbean and lost the icons.

If I were to design the 880 I would prefer some of the buttons could have been bigger and easier to read...but overall I love the remote

I had my main remote narrowed down to between the 880 and the Mx-500. After research and playing a little, went with the 880. I'm very happy with it. Is it perfect? No, no remote in this price range it. But I'm very, very...happy with it. Have even tied it into my Lutron wireless light sytems and included lights in each of the activities (macros). Works sweet.

There was good stuff?? I hate that peanut.

But there must be something missing for GatorDeb. The 880 should be controlling the volume properly, no?